MERRITT – Smoke from a series of small, controlled spot fires may be visible from communities in the Merritt area and the Coquihalla Highway on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Fourteen members of the Korean Forest Service are in Merritt this month to learn more about wildfire investigation techniques from B.C.’s fire management professionals. In addition to their classroom studies, the students will participate in field training to investigate small, controlled fires that will be purposely ignited and then extinguished in a designated training area about five kilometres north of Merritt and two kilometres west of the Coquihalla Highway.

Trained firefighters will be onsite at all times to ensure that these small fires remain within their planned boundaries.

The Korean Forest Service crews will work to determine where and how these case study fires started and how they spread. Working with B.C.-based instructors and firefighters, the students will also be trained to collect evidence that, in the case of a real wildfire, could be used to prosecute the person who started the fire.

As a recognized leader in fire suppression and management techniques, the BC Wildfire Service welcomes opportunities for international co-operation and the sharing of knowledge between agencies. This is the sixth year that Korean Forest Service personnel have received training with the BC Wildfire Service.

To report a wildfire, please call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.